© 2003, Architectural Energy Corporation.
All Rights Reserved.
Funded by California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program
Advanced HVAC Systems for Improving Indoor Environmental Quality and Energy Performance of California K-12 Schools


This PIER program has concluded. For more information on this and other PIER programs, please visit www.energy.ca.gov/pier.index.html or contact the California Energy Commission at (800) 555-7794 (option 2).


Access the Indoor Environmental Quality and Energy Performance of California K-12 Schools Program Final Report and Attachments. (pdf format)

The links below access all public-accessible Project reports.

Project 1. Program Administration
Project 2. Thermal Displacement Ventilation (DV) In Schools
Project 3. Effectiveness Of UVC Technology For Improving School Performance
Project 4. Program Market Connection

View PIER Project Summaries   

Overall Program Goals:
The goal of the Advanced HVAC Systems for Improving Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and Energy Performance of California K-12 Schools program is to develop and demonstrate advanced equipment for cooling, heating, and ventilating school classrooms that improves indoor environmental quality, saves energy, reduces peak demand, and reduces pollution for the citizens of California. Over 3% of the electricity used in California is for schools. Twenty-seven percent of this is used for heating, cooling, and ventilation. The way in which schools are ventilated and the quantity of ventilation provided directly impacts the quality of the school environment, which has implications for student health and overall learning performance. This program addresses three of the IEQ target areas. The relationships between the program activities to reach this goal and the research and market needs identified in the IEQ target areas are discussed below.The projects in this program will work with major manufacturers to develop innovative systems that have energy and IEQ advantages over conventional systems, demonstrate the energy performance and cost advantages of these systems, and develop and distribute design tools and related information to decision makers and school design professionals. The program has the following related goals or desired outcomes:
  • The next generation of California K-12 classrooms, resulting from Prop 47 and local bond funding, are more comfortable, healthier and more energy efficient.
  • Teachers have better control over the IEQ and thermal comfort of their classrooms.
  • Students and teachers are sick less, more comfortable, and perform better.
  • School districts spend less on energy costs and are able to spend more on books, computers, and salaries.

PROJECT 2: Thermal Displacement Ventilation (DV)
Access the Project 2 Final Report (pdf format) or access other Project 2 Reports.

Goals:
  • Create a DV HVAC system that requires 50% of the fan energy and 33% of the cooling energy of conventional HVAC systems.
  • Target 20% penetration in the schools new construction and retrofit/renovation market.
  • At the 20% level of penetration, reduce the peak demand in California by 224 MW.
  • At the 20% level of penetration, reduce energy consumption in California by 380 GWh annually.
Outcomes:
  • Coordination with related PIER natural ventilation and DV research yielded interesting facts.
  • The CFD analysis of different classroom configurations provided the following outcomes.
  • The barriers study identified first cost and the lack of demonstration classrooms as key hurdles to acceptance.
  • Three DV system design options for California K-12 classrooms were evaluated for cost effectiveness and performance.
  • Two demonstration DV systems were installed, commissioned, and monitored in two classrooms; one in southern and one in northern California.
  • Results of the DV demonstration classrooms showed that significant energy savings are possible.
  • Other results of the DV demonstration classrooms showed improved IAQ and acoustics with acceptable humidity levels.
  • Teacher feedback was positive for the DV demonstration classrooms.
  • Teacher feedback also has been positive in the DV classroom. The teachers in the DV and conventional classrooms were given surveys on the acoustics, indoor air quality, and thermal comfort. The teachers in the displacement classrooms gave the DV system higher marks for both acoustics and thermal comfort compared to the conventional classrooms.
  • Various technical documents and marketing collateral were developed presenting the results of this project.
  • Technology transfer activities were conducted.
Conclusions:
  • The demonstration classrooms confirmed that DV provides good thermal comfort for classrooms with normal ceiling heights (9 feet).
    A supply of 1,100 cfm of 65°F air is sufficient for most classrooms in California climates.
  • The use of a tuned VAV control strategy will optimize energy savings.
  • DV can be achieved today using a variety of HVAC system designs.
  • DV provides many compelling benefits including energy savings.

PROJECT 3: UVC Light for Coil and Drain Pan Disinfection
Access the Project 3 Final Report (pdf format) or access other Project 3 Reports.

Goals:
  • Confirm the manufacturer's claim that UVC lights decrease cooling energy consumption by 10%.
  • Confirm the manufacturer's claim that UVC lights improve school attendance.
  • Based on favorable field studies of energy savings and improvements in school attendance, target a market penetration rate of 30% after five years.
  • At the 30% level of penetration, reduce the peak demand in California by 8.4 MW.
  • At the 30% level of penetration, reduce energy consumption in California by 10.2 GWh annually.
Outcomes:
  • Microbial analysis showed the reduction of growth on the evaporator coils, as expected.
  • Airflow and efficiency analyses showed a positive trend.
  • Attendance data analysis was inconclusive.
  • Teacher and classroom surveys indicated positive feedback for some issues.
  • Some of the HVAC housings created challenges for proper installation.
  • Environmental issues were found.
Conclusions:
  • The research team could not conclusively determine if there were any improvements in air flow or efficiency of the air conditioning units with UVC disinfection systems.
  • The success of the technology is dependent on the quality of the installation.

Program Administration | Thermal Displacement Ventilation (DV) In Schools
Effectiveness Of UVC Technology For Improving School | Program Market Connection

Updated August 2, 2006